Customer Reviews

Early 21st Century Blues

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know what it is about when the Junkies just gather for a really brief time and let the tape roll, but this is probably my favorite release after Trinity Session. The spare eloquence of Michael Timmins' arrangements and the earthy beauty of Margot's voice are here in spades. Even the more offbeat arrangements -- including the "rap" portion on Lennon's song -- worked very well for me.

If you love The Trinity Session, I'd buy this CD now.

"Early 21st Century Blues" is, I guess, a cover album from the Cowboy Junkies, if you can imagine that. It is also a war protest album. But, no matter what your politics or deep seated desire for more Michael Timmons penned tunes, it is also a new Cowboy Junkies disc.

I saw the band not long ago (at Mountain Winery), where they were presenting some of the same material you find here. This disc captures the energy and lovely, live, acoustic sound associated with the CJs. While this isn't up to the level of "Open" in my opinion, it is still an amazing album. I mean, sure, Margo Timmons could sing the phonebook and make it sound interesting. And the band plays their instruments just fine. But they really take ownership of many of these songs.

The first Springsteen tune is a bit thin, but the second one is poignant. And the redition of "One" on the last track makes me sing along---and even tear up a bit at that precise moment when Margo's voice reaches a bit singing "one love..."

All in all, another fine work of art.

I'm slowly being turned onto the Cowboy Junkies after many attempted tries to really get into their groove. What did it for me was working till late in the evening, when night silences all sound, and the typing on the keyboard is as loud as a jackhammer. That's when I truly discovered the Cowboy Junkies, as an evening companion that truly filled the air with their dulcet tones and sparse laidback vibe. Don't listen to it during your active moments, but listen to it during your moments of quietness, cuz that's when you will truly hear them for all their hushed splendor.

I think D. Sanders missed the point of the "Hip-Hop" Lennon song. It is more of a spoken word, a letter by an angst-ridden soldier, than it is a traditional hip-hop song. The rapping works very well in the context of the album, albeit not as well as a single track. I am sure that Lennon would not only approve of the remake of his song, but would totally dig it. The entire album is great especially when listened to as a whole. GREAT JOB!

The Cowboy Junkies have been one of my favorites for a long time and when this album came out I was excited to hear them cover some new type material. Covers of John Lennon, U2 and Springsteen. Wow, my favorite modern blues band covering some of my favorite classic rock. I was in heaven. Excellent buy for any Junkies fan.

once in a blue moon, the junkies would get together and produce a noteworthy album the likes of which was the Trinity Session, the current album is just as beautiful, with a totally different take on several covers, making each of these songs poignant and very much their own.

The Cowboy Junkies' 2004 studio album "One Soul Now" was flat-out boring, and the low point of a long way downward from the "Trinity Sessions" days. I didn't know whether the band still had a good record left in them, and I am glad to say that I was wrong.

"Early 21st Century Blues" (11 tracks, 59 min.) finds the Canadian foursome bringing us a mix of originals, covers and traditionals, to great effect. The 2 originals "December Skies" and "This World Dreams Of" are among the best songs Michael Timmins has brought in a LONG time. The covers include 2 from Burce Springsteen, of which "Brothers Under the Bridge" is outstanding, as well as Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, U2 and George Harrison, whose "Isn't It a Pity" is another highlight. The John Lennon cover "I Don't Want to Be a Soldier" is terrible, though, with a... rap (!?!) in the middle of the song. This alone keeps me from giving this album not more than 4 stars.

That said, the band is in great musical form throughout, and Margo Timmins' voice is as beautiful as ever. 2006 marks the 20th anniversary of this remarkable band. "Early 21st Century Blues" is a return to great form, and makes me excited again what Cowboy Junkies are up to next. If you like CJ, check out a band called Over the Rhine, with a very similar style of music (in fact, OtR and CJ have toured together on more than one occastion), you will not be disappointed.

The new Cowboy Junkies album is very much like the flip-side to A Perfect Circle's 2004 "Emotive." Where APC drove their frustration with the political climate home with industrial grinds and an anguished cover of John Lennon's "Imagine," the Timmons siblings put their voice to a diametric opposite performance of Lennon's "I Don't Want To Be a Soldier." "Early 21'st Century Blues" may be several decibels lower than APC, but the voice is shouting the same message.

This is easily the best Cowboy Junkies album since "Lay It Down." Solidly choosing seven covers, two traditional songs and two originals to convey their message, this is what made the subtleties of those early records so attractive. Of the covers, Bruce Springsteen's "You're Missing" transforms from a song of loss after 9/11 (the subtext of "The Rising") to a mournful tale of universal loss. George Harrison's "Isn't It A Pity" follows suit. But it is the way that Margo Timmins claims U2's "One" so completely that makes this CD a keeper. It's a rare band that can capture the essence of a great band's classic, and Cowboy Junkies do that here.

"Early 21'st Century Blues" is not without its miscues. I really could have done without the rap (ok, talking blues) in "I Don't Want To Be A Soldier." And as jaw-catching of a lyric "let's kill our children and sing about it" in "December Skies" is, it's also pretty sledgehammer un-subtle. Of the two originals, "This World Dreams Of" is the superior choice. But still, that is a mere two quibbles on a disc that I have been returning to steadily for a few months now. It's great to know that Cowboy Junkies can still make this feel as fresh as it did when "The Trinity Sessions" crept into my library all those years ago.

Early 21st Century Blues is another great hit by Cowboy Junkies. The group has been together for 20 years when this album was recorded and they prove their sound and creativity is still fresh. Interestingly only two of the songs in this album is written by Michael Timmins. All the rest of the songs are by other artists including songs by Bruce Springsteen, U2, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens and John Lennon. By far I feel the most interesting of all the songs is their updated take of the John Lennon song "I Don't Want To Be A Soldier". When John wrote this song it was in protest to the Vietman War. The Junkies update the song with some new lyrics to protest the war in Iraq. Then sing the new lyrics in a Rap sound that is so different from what the Junkies have done before that takes you by surprise. And it totally works! A great addition to any music lovers collection and a must for any fan of Cowboy Junkies.

Excellent covers and originals. If you're new to the Cowboy Junkies this is a good place to start. Subdued rock and roll - full of feeling and soul.